Mary Elizabeth Panasik

Grandma had told us multiple times that she never thought she would see the day I graduate and leave for college or see Liz drive over to visit her. It is an absolute blessing that we had her in our life to see us grow up. The amount of love she had for all of us is amazing and the amount of things she accomplished is equally amazing. I am proud to say I directly knew someone who lived through the Great Depression. I am even more proud to say that my grandma cared for the soldiers of our nation with great passion during the Korean War. Once she earned a grand collection of medals and honors she took the time to raise a family of four, but instead of participating in the popular house wife trend, once her dear children grew she went right back to doing what she loved. I think her passion, love, and independence heavily influenced the strong individuals that her children grew up to be.

I always appreciated Grandma’s willingness to entertain new technologies. I remember when she told me that she would like to get a computer and a cell phone. The cell phone phase was short lived but it was worth a try.

She was a woman of great resilience and I think that greatly contributed to her long life. I know some would have loved for her to put her hearing aid in more, but I came to learn that she could here most conversations just fine. I think the best example of her resilience is her ability to adjust to a new home at 89 years old. Instead of being overwhelmed by the change and shutting out opportunities, she adjusted and was open to making new friends and participating in her favorite activities, such as cards and nickels.

One of my favorite memories of Grandma was her bluntly honest story about the cop that pulled her over. I also enjoyed our outings to restaurants. I remember the day she dropped mushrooms into her shirt pocket at Red Robin or when we went out to dinner for her birthday and she wore a flame retardant sweater. The childhood memory that stands out the most is when Liz and I would sleep over her house watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and then close the evening with the Lawrence Welk Show. Liz and I would dance around her living room to all the songs. When I went to college we stayed in touch by talking on the phone and my favorite part of our conversations was when I received her 91 year old guy advice.

I know she would want me to take a moment to thank my mom yet again for all that she did for her. Grandma told me this every time I went to visit her and sometimes she would even tear up because she was so thankful that my mom was willing to sacrifice her time spent at home and her days off of work to take care of her.

Grandma thrived for 91 years and she lived them right. She lived a healthy lifestyle, found her passion, loved those around her limitlessly, and found humor in herself and things around her. She was completely in touch with it all and possessed a selflessness that I admire. Although she would be yelling at us right now to leave and go home, the ones she loved came from all over the country to reciprocate that love for her. So instead of shedding sadness and tears, we should make an effort to emulate the limitless love that she possessed.

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MARY E. PANASIK (nee Farber). Age 91. Passed away May 2, 2014. Beloved wife of the late Paul. Dear mother of Mary Ann Skok (Keith), Paul (Carol), Susan and Stephen (Cathy). Loving grandmother of Veronica and Elizabeth Skok. Dear sister of Anna Marie Macatician and the late Joseph Farber. Veteran US Navy Nurse Korean War. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, May 8th at St Angela Merici Church 20970 Lorain Rd at 10 AM, interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Family will receive friends in the Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home, 20820 Lorain Rd Fairview Park Wednesday 5-8 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to USO, 20637 Emerald Parkway Dr. 44135 Cleveland, OH or the Salvation Army, 12645 Lorain Avenue Cleveland, OH 44111. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.craciunfuneralhomes.com